Why do belly buttons look like black holes after a tummy tuck?

Question

Is there a way to prep for surgery and avoid this? I can tell when a person has had a tummy tuck by their belly button. Why do they look so different after a tummy tuck? I want my body to look as natural as possible after my mommy makeover and bbl.

Ronald Schuster, MD · Answer

Creating a natural appearing belly button after abdominoplasty is always a goal by good Plastic surgeons. There are several different techniques so this is clearly the "art" rather than the science of tummy tucks. It can be a lot more difficult as you might think. Pregnancy frequently stretches of the base of the belly button, hernias, and just the fact that there is a variety of appearance of belly buttons to begin with, are things that your surgeon must deal with. You can certinly discuss this with your surgeon at your consultation. Good luck.

Thomas P. Sterry, MD · Answer

I know what you mean.  When I was in training I was taught to make the belly button rather large to make sure that if there was scar contracture it didn't get too tight.  But every one of those belly buttons can be seen a mile away at the beach and spotted as "artificial".  It's a clear tell tale sign of a tummy tuck.Many of us work hard to avoid that look, but there is nothing a patient can do to improve it - other than choosing the right surgeon.  Make sure you see a LOT of before and after photos before deciding who will operate on you.Good Luck!

Joel Patrick Maier, MD · Answer

Indeed, the one tell tale sign of a tummy tuck is an unnatural appearing belly button. It takes time and patients to make sure it looks as natural as possible. Make sure you review your surgeons before and after photos as this is the best way to assess the outcome of your tummy tuck. Good luck and thanks for sharing!

Richard G. Reish, MD, FACS · Answer

Hello and thank you for your question. The goal for the belly button should be designed to look natural, have an "innie" appearance, and have no scars on the exterior. Make sure you specifically look at before and after pictures of real patients who have had this surgery performed by your surgeon and evaluate their results. I recommend that you seek consultation with a qualified board-certified plastic surgeon who can evaluate you in person.

Best wishes and good luck.

Richard G. Reish, M.D. FACS

Harvard-trained plastic surgeon

Best wishes and good luck.

Richard G. Reish, M.D. FACS

Harvard-trained plastic surgeon

Nelson Castillo, MD · Answer

Thank you for sharing your excellent question. Though some aspects of the final result is based on each individuals ability to heal and scar there are surgical techniques to minimize scar appearance and location to leave a more natural belly button.  I would advise seeing a series of your surgeon's work to better appreciate the attention to detail they employ in this area.  Hope this helps.

Camille Cash, MD · Answer

Plastic surgery definitely has an artistic component to it.  To get the best looing belly button be sure to research your surgeon.  You want to select a board certified plastic surgeon, review credentials, and look through before/after photos. Schedule a few consultations with those who meet your criteria.

E. Ronald Finger, MD · Answer

Properly reconstructed belly buttons do not look like "black holes." They look much more natural. Simple circles or ovoids always look unnatural. The belly button circle must be broken up with a flap from the abdomen to look natural.Thank you for your interesting question, and best wishes.

Christopher L. Hess, MD · Answer

I feel that the most important part of the tummy tuck is the recreation of the belly button "home" or neoumbilicus.  There are probably hundreds of ways to recreate this.  But, the most important and most aesthetic outcomes use dermal fascial sutures.  These are stitches that go from the dermis of the skin to the dermis of the belly button and to the abdominal wall fascia.  This will pull the belly button down and make a concavity.  Depending on the incision used will determine the final look of the BB.  I use an inverted "U" shaped incision that leads to a nice concave BB with a hood over the top.  The final look of the BB will take many months to achieve.

Karen Leong, MD · Answer

Hello, thank you for your question. There are many techniques that surgeons use to create a new belly button during tummy tuck. Usually it's based on the aesthetic of the surgeon and what he/she finds attractive in a belly button.While in the immediate 2 week postoperative period the belly button can look darker because of the stitches and dried blood or swollen tissues, once this has all settled down they don't generally tend to look like black holes. Some people will have deeper set belly buttons because their belly skin and tissue is thicker than others and these may appear darker because of the shadowing.I suggest during your consultation(s) to ask to look at photos and have your board-certified surgeon to describe his/her technique. Belly buttons can be revised after surgery too so you're not stuck with it indefinitely if you don't like how it looks after surgery. Most surgeons will not revise until at least a year after tummy tuck though.I hope this helps. - Dr. Leong

Adolfo Sesto, MD · Answer

Hi. That is not true and I do not know where you got that ide. See the cases in the video below with only 14 days post op.  International Member of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS)
Member of the International Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ISAPS)
25 year experience

Why do belly buttons look like black holes after a tummy tuck?

Answers (11)

More Tummy Tuck Questions

Should I have laxity and bulging after full tummy tuck? (photo)

Can I have a tummy tuck if I have rheumatoid arthritis?

I think my belly button is shrinking. Is there hope for it to look normal? (Photo)

I am 3 days post tummy tuck. With MR. Can i take Nyquill?

Back acne from compression garments full tummy tuck and breast augmentation - Can they be related?

Does medicaid pay for tummy tucks after c-sections?

WE SEND PRETTY
EMAILS